Undoubtedly, selecting a place to live is one of the most important choices made by students. A lot of consideration is given to factors such as cost, amenities, location, security, and many more. The obvious choice for me as I came from Galway was Queen's Student Accommodation. I chose to live in Elms BT9 during my first year of university here in Belfast because this was the accommodation that was recommended to me. Overall, I could not recommend Queen’s Student Accommodation more, especially to a first-year student travelling from afar wishing to make friends and wanting a community feel while settling into a new university life away from home.  

^{The apartment blocks at Elms}

Elms Village has 24/7 maintenance and evening security

After spending nine months living in Elms Village, I was very upset to leave. It was so far removed from the picture I had in my head of what student accommodation looked like (apart from the messy kitchen at times!). It is a little village tucked away from the bustle of Belfast, and it doesn’t feel like you're living in a city at all. The blocks of flats are not like the skyrise flats you would see in other student accommodation, but they are only three floors high. The red brick blocks of flats stand among a beautiful, picturesque village surrounded by trees and nature, and every morning I woke I could hear the birds singing. Elms also has security every evening and 24/7 maintenance which was important to me as I didn’t know what to expect before I moved out.  

Creating a cozy space is key

The thing I loved most about Elms was my room. I think it is really important for anyone moving away from home to make their uni room comfortable and cozy. As a student, a lot of time will be spent in your room and it is the only space for you alone when living in student accommodation. 

^{My bedroom wall at Elms BT9}

Calling all extroverts!

If you are like me and are an extroverted person, student halls are more than likely for you! With different events happening every night in the Treehouse, the trendy main reception that is a social hub; to nights out with flat mates and hosting pre-drinks, you can spend your evenings socialising and getting to know many more people. While living at home, you aren't exposed to this side of university, and after moving out and living in halls, even if I lived nearby and had the opportunity to move home and save money, I wouldn’t. Money comes and goes but memories stay forever!    

Moving out helps you gain more independence

Moving into any sort of student accommodation teaches you many different life lessons. There were 11 people in my flat, so it was natural that not every single one of us would get along, or have the same interests or backgrounds. Moving out opens your eyes to the wider world and makes you more accepting of everyone. Just because people don’t get along or don’t share the same interests, it isn’t to say they cannot be civil, which you learn.

Moving out is a good thing to do for growth and independence. I always have been an independent person, but since I moved out, I have learned how to do things for myself and balance everything. From doing my grocery shopping, laundry and organising my meals for the week, to balancing study, friendships and a social life, it is great training for life. We won't always have our mums doing everything for us!  

^{Meal prepping is very handy for hectic student lives}

Don’t be fooled – initially, I was quite unhappy in my student accommodation. Which may make you question why I am recommending it so much. Well, let me explain.

Elms Village provides a sense of community

At the very beginning of the year, I found myself in a flat where I did not “click” with any of my housemates. If I was to not leave the flat for the day, my only encounters would be going to the kitchen at mealtimes and leaving with the food to eat in my room. I felt very uncomfortable, and I recognised this was not the norm for other people I knew living in Elms.  

Once I moved flats, I had already gotten to know many friends in my course, job and just from the area in general, but I became very close with my new flat mates. It made things a lot easier, having someone to chat to in the kitchen while making dinner, or someone to walk to Tesco with to pick up some groceries. When you are so far from home, it is very important to have flat mates that you get along with, can talk to and do things with. Elms is a great place to get to know people, with its community feel and friendly atmosphere. However, taking a long time to settle into a new life and new accommodation is normal.

Find out more

Elms BT9 Accommodation

Accommodation at Queen's

Student Life in Belfast

Sarah Geraghty Biomedical Science | Undergraduate Student | Galway, Ireland My name is Sarah Geraghty! I am a first year Biomedical Science student from Galway. I'm 21 and I feel like I have a lot to offer in the line of advice because I realize that a lot of people have a hard time settling in and making friends in university and that the expectations of “university life” don't always meet reality for many students. I live in Queen's Accommodation, in Elms BT9, and I really love it there and never want to leave. I am in the Biomedical Science society, and I really enjoy it. I also work 4 hours a week in Spar in the Student's Union, which really doesn’t feel like work to me as I’ve got to know so many people.